Amberley: The heart of Hurunui’s past, present and future
- Claire Inkson
- Jan 6
- 4 min read
Amberley is a town with one foot firmly planted in its rural past and the other stepping confidently into a future of boutique shopping, modern cuisine and wine-region tourism.
It is both a service town and a destination, a place where you can pick up fencing gear or stock feed in the morning and enjoy a long lunch, winery tasting or artisan shopping in the afternoon.
Increasingly, it is a town where people come to take their time.
The story began in 1864 when Mrs Carter, one of the region’s earliest freehold settlers, subdivided her land and named the new settlement Amberley after her family farm in Oxfordshire.
Sections sold for eight pounds a quarter acre.
A blacksmith, a wheelwright and a carpenter made up the first businesses, and by the arrival of the railway in 1876, Amberley was growing into a thriving service centre for local farmers.
More than 150 years later, that farming backbone remains, but Amberley has evolved into something much richer.
With the renowned Waipara Wine Valley on its doorstep, Amberley has become the gateway to the North Canterbury Wine Region.
Today, the township is known for its bustling café scene, boutique shops and welcoming rural hospitality.
A historic foundation, a new destination
Few streets display that blend of heritage and modern vibrancy better than Markham Street.
Home to some of Amberley’s oldest buildings, it is now dotted with artisan stores, eateries and the character that only a small rural town can deliver.
For Jenni Dobbie, owner of Ruby Six, the charm of Amberley lies in connection.
“For me, it’s all about relationships,” Dobbie says. “You build connections with the businesses down the road, the regulars, even the people just passing through. They’ll say, ‘I always pop in when I’m heading past to see what you’ve got.’ That’s what I love.”
Ruby Six sits inside one of Markham Street’s historic buildings, a space that has been everything from a chemist to a dentist to a lavender and wool shop.
“The history is part of the charm,” Dobbie says. “People feel like they’ve discovered something before they even walk in the door.”
Markham Street’s resurgence has been steady and organic.
Stores like The Markham Street Trader, Little Vintage, Brew Moon, Arthur Burke and the ever-busy Amberley Pies have created a cluster of small owner-operated businesses that each bring something different.
“Most of us are owner-operators, and that makes a big difference,” Dobbi says. “People comment every day on how beautiful the shop is and how nice it is to see different things. It’s the overall feel.”
Beyond Markham Street, businesses like Amberley Pharmacy and Sally Macs clothing have been a part of fabric of the town for decades.
The addition of a Woolworths supermarket in 2014 was a turning point that has seen the town poised for growth.
A town on the edge of tomorrow
That feel is something the AmberleyNZ Business and Promotion Association is intentionally building on.
Chairperson Vicki Foster from Heartland Homes describes Amberley as being “on the edge of tomorrow”.
She sees the town’s future in its unique character, local experiences and wine-country connection.
“I call it unique boutique,” Foster says. “There are so many great things happening here: new Airbnb’s, wineries doing permaculture events or cheese-making workshops, D.O.T.I, Brew Moon- it all contributes to a growing vibrancy. It is not a shopping mall. You can take your time, wander around, enjoy it.”
Hurunui, she says, is “humming”, but Foster says many Christchurch residents still have no idea what Amberley offers, despite being only 45 minutes away.
“We are really pushing domestic tourism. Bring people here for winery days, team retreats, dinner or a wander through Markham Street. We are the gateway to the wine region, and we need to show that.”
Amberley’s growth is noticeable.
There are new lifestyle blocks, more accommodation options and ongoing residential development.
Amberley is now home to a significant retiree population, supported by developments such as the retirement village Amberley Country Estate.
Manager Hamish Lamont describes the village as “the rural person’s retirement village”. Unlike many high-density retirement complexes, the estate offers standalone villas, double garages and large, north-facing, energy-efficient homes.
“For rural people, this place is ideal,” Lamont says. “The town has everything you need, but with space and sunshine.”
Rural roots, modern energy
Young families are well catered for, too, with sports grounds, parks, the popular Amberley Domain, and easy access to rivers, lakes, beaches, and the nearby Mt Grey walkway network.
Cycleway plans and new trails are underway, further connecting Amberley with surrounding wineries and outdoor recreation areas.
Long-time Arthur Burke general manager Craig Schroder says the balance of old and new is one of Amberley’s strengths.
“Arthur Burke has been here since 1935,” he says. “Amberley has great local businesses that support North Canterbury, great cafés, and of course, the farmers market on Saturday mornings. The commute to Christchurch is easy, and with new motorway links coming, it will get even easier. The population here has grown a lot in the past few years.”
Amberley’s past may be rooted in its farming foundations, but its future is being shaped by innovation, hospitality, wine and community connection.
It is a town where you can shop small, eat well, explore widely and feel welcomed every time you return.
Markham Street Festival
Markham Street Festival
Sunday 15 February
Amberley Township
• Family-friendly community festival on Amberley’s oldest street
• Handpicked local stalls, food trucks and live music
• Dedicated kids’ zone behind the Amberley Hotel (face painting, balloons, bouncy castle, youth activities)
• Lions Club fundraising raffle at each end of the street
• Local shops open, plus displays from community groups
• Moved to Sunday to avoid Saturday sport and support traders
• Free entry
A relaxed, colourful day celebrating Amberley’s heritage, local businesses and vibrant community.
Follow AmberleyNZ on Facebook for updates and stallholder announcements
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